Human movement measurement system
Patent 7292151 Issued on November 6, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date: 
July 22, 2025. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
July 22, 2025. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesMethod and system for automated training of manual skills Kinesimetric method and apparatus Electronic athlete trainer for improving skills in reflex, speed and accuracy Computerized video gait and motion analysis system and method Athletic evaluation and training apparatus TV animation interactively controlled by the viewer Sports technique and reaction training system Interactive sports simulation system with physiological sensing and psychological conditioning Video game control unit and attitude sensor Biofeedback lifting monitor InventorsApplicationNo. 11187373 filed on 07/22/2005US Classes:340/573.1, Human or animal340/407.1, TACTUAL INDICATION434/114, Converting information to tactile output434/247, PHYSICAL EDUCATION434/251, Football, soccer, or rugby273/148B, All video game accessories600/595, Body movement (e.g., head or hand tremor, motility of limb, etc.)367/128, With electromagnetic wave463/3, Paddle-type game (e.g., pinball, tennis, baseball, golf, hockey, etc.)348/578, Special effects482/57, Bicylcling600/587, Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or exerted by body482/4, Equipment control73/379.04, Impact600/546, Detecting muscle electrical signal702/160, Pedometer434/11, ORGANIZED ARMED OR UNARMED CONFLICT OR SHOOTING482/7, Rate of movement434/258, Developing or testing coordination463/8, Martial-art type (e.g., boxing, fencing, wrestling, etc.)434/21, Training apparatus using beam of infrared, visible light, or ultraviolet radiation318/568.12, Mobile robot482/8, Monitors exercise parameter345/158, Including orientation sensors (e.g., infrared, ultrasonic, remotely controlled)463/38, Pivotally-translatable handle (e.g., joystick, etc.)600/523, Signal display or recording434/336, Response of plural examinees communicated to monitor or recorder by electrical signals482/5, Amount of resistance342/365, Circular482/78, User inside device356/141.4, With optical scanning of light beam or detector382/157, Network learning techniques (e.g., back propagation)345/8, Operator body-mounted heads-up display (e.g., helmet mounted display)318/568.11, Multifunction manipulator (i.e., Robot)340/870.01, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE INDICATING (E.G., TELEMETERING)702/150, Orientation or position356/139.03, Relative attitude indication along 3 axes with photodetection342/465, Plural receivers only356/141.5, With at least 2-dimensional sensitivity345/427, Space transformation73/379.01, MUSCULAR FORCE (E.G., STRENGTH TESTING, EXERCISING OR TRAINING EFFORT, ETC.)356/141.1, With photodetection of reflected beam angle with respect to a unidirectional source beam463/31, Visual (e.g., enhanced graphics, etc.)345/156, DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE340/870.07, Combined (TM system with other system)340/568.1, Article placement or removal (e.g., anti-theft)359/630, Superimposing visual information on observer`s field of view (e.g., head-up arrangement, etc.)33/512HumanExaminersPrimary: Pham, Hoa Q.Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassG08B 23/00ClaimsWhat is claimed is: 1. A system for tracking movement of a user, comprising: a first communication device comprising a transmitter for transmitting signals, a receiver for receiving signals andan output device, said first communication device adapted to be hand-held; a processing system, remote from the first communication device, for wirelessly receiving said transmitted signals from said first communication device, said processing systemadapted to determine movement information for said first communication device and sending data signals to said first communication device for providing feedback or control data; and wherein said first communication device receives and processes saiddata signals from said processing system and wherein the output device provides sensory stimuli according to the received data signals. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is a transponder. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication device further comprises: a first visual display for providing an interactive interface for the user. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a display device in communication with the processing system for providing sensory stimuli for the user according to the transmitted signals from the first communication device. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the display device indicates the movement direction of the first communication device, which further comprises a second visual display for providing visual stimuli to a user in combination with the first visualdisplay. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the output device comprises an array of light emitting devices. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: the output device provides audible stimuli to the user. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein: the output device provides tactile stimuli to the user. 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device sends ultrasonic signals received by the processing system for determining movement information for the first communication device. 10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system comprises a registration system adapted to be configured remotely by said first communication device. 11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said registration system allows the user to record a reference movement trajectory remotely using said first communication device. 12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is further comprised of: a user input device and display and wherein said first communication device is configured with multiple training applications and wherein theuser may choose one training application to activate, and wherein said user may download additional training applications to said communication device. 13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said user input device may be used to configure options customized for the user. 14. A system according to claim 12, wherein said user input device may be used to authenticate user access and open a user session. 15. A system according to claim 12, wherein said user input device may be used to calibrate said first communication device to establish a reference pose or reference trajectory. 16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces depending on the application desired. 17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device transmits accelerometer signals to said processing system. 18. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device transmits heart rate signals to said processing system. 19. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is further comprised of: an inertial sensor and wherein said first communication device transmits signals containing orientation information to said processing system. 20. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is further comprised of: a nonvolatile memory. 21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the first communication device is adapted to download customized user programs from the Internet to be uploaded to a remote system as the application program. 22. A system according to claim 20, wherein performance algorithms are stored in said memory. 23. A system according to claim 22, where said performance algorithms calculate custom information personal to a user in real-time. 24. A system according to claim 22, wherein said performance algorithm produces a Motivation Index that represents the overall level of enthusiasm or enjoyment for a particular activity. 25. A system according to claim 22, wherein said performance algorithm produces a composite numerical value derived from a weighted average of statistical performance indicators and subjective user input including at least one of the followingitems: relative scoring improvements, conformity to a range of motion pattern, duration of participation, high activity access rate, relative skill level improvement, daily goal achievement. 26. A system according to claim 20, wherein a user's session data can be saved to said memory for later retrieval. 27. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second communication device, adapted to be hand held, in electrical communication with the first communication device, with the processing system adapted to determine movement informationof the second communication device relative to the first communication device. 28. A system according to claim 27, wherein said processing system is adapted to determine movement information for both said first and second communication devices and to calculate a displacement vector from said movement information. 29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said processing system is adapted to compare said calculated displacement vector to a reference vector position and to calculate a numerical result. 30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said processing system sends feedback signals to said first communication device based on said numerical result. 31. A system according to claim 30, wherein a user's movement efficiency can be determined. 32. A system according to claim 27, wherein said processing system is adapted to determine movement information for both said first and second communication devices and wherein a vector is calculated and compared to a desired reference vectorto calculate a numerical result and wherein said processing system sends feedback signals to said first communication device based on said numerical result, said first communication device further comprised of an output device for providing feedbackstimuli to the user in response to said received feedback signals. 33. A system according to claim 27, wherein said processing system is adapted to determine movement information for both said first and second communication devices and wherein a user's movement efficiency can be determined and wherein saidfirst and second communication devices are adapted to communicate with each other for synchronization purposes. 34. The system of claim 27, wherein the second communication device comprises: an output device for providing sensory stimuli to said user according to said received data signals. 35. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signals transmitted from said first communication device are radio frequency signals. 36. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a receiver array in data communication with said processing system for receiving ultrasonic signals from said first communication device and wherein said receiver array sends data to saidprocessing system for use in calculating movement information for said first communication device. 37. A system according to claim 36, wherein said receiver array is in the form of an S-shaped curve. 38. A system according to claim 36, wherein position information is calculated based on time of flight measurement of said ultrasonic signals. 39. A system according to claim 38, wherein position information can be calculated without interference from occluding objects. 40. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is adapted to determine position information. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein said processing system is adapted to determine the error between the actual movement information of said first communication device and a movement information defined by a reference movement trajectory. 42. A system according to claim 41, wherein said processing system is adapted to send feedback signals to said first communication device based on said error. 43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the output device provides feedback stimuli to the user in response to the received feedback signals. 44. A system according to claim 43, wherein said feedback stimuli are aural instructions to the user for guiding the user's movements to conform to said reference movement trajectory. 45. A system according to claim 43, wherein said feedback stimuli are aural cues informing the user of encroachments of threshold conditions. 46. A system according to claim 43, wherein said output device is an array of light emitting devices adapted to be strobed at an intensity, rate or pattern proportional to said error. 47. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is adapted to determine acceleration information of the first communication device. 48. The system of claim 1, wherein: the first communication device further comprises a sensor for determining tilt information of the first communication device; and the first communication device is adapted for transmitting the tiltinformation to the processing system. 49. The system of claim 1, wherein: the first communication device comprises an interactive interface such that movement of the first communication device controls the movement of an object in a computer generated virtual environment. 50. An apparatus for use in tracking movement of a user, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting signals; a receiver for receiving signals wirelessly from a remote processing system; wherein the apparatus is hand-held; wherein thereceiver is adapted to receive feedback or control data signals from the processing system, the feedback or control data signals derived from processed information including movement information of the apparatus; and wherein the receiver receives thedata signals from the processing system and wherein the apparatus processes the received data signals to provide feedback or control information to the user. 51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus is further comprised of: a display for providing an interactive interface for the user. 52. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus is further comprised of: an output device for providing sensory stimuli to said user according to said received data signals. 53. An apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said output device is an array of light emitting devices. 54. An apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the output device provides audible stimuli to the user. 55. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said processing system is adapted to determine the error between the actual movement information of said apparatus and a reference movement trajectory. 56. An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the processing system is adapted to send feedback signals to said apparatus based on said error and wherein said apparatus is further comprised of an output device for providing feedback stimulito the user in response to said received feedback signals. 57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said feedback stimuli are aural instructions to the user for guiding the user's movements to conform to said reference movement trajectory. 58. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said feedback stimuli are aural cues informing the user of encroachments of threshold conditions. 59. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said output device is an array of light emitting devides adapted to be strobed at an intensity, rate or pattern proportional to said error between the movement of said apparatus compared to saidreference movement trajectory. 60. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said transmitted signals by said transmitter are ultrasonic signals received by the processing system for determining movement information for said apparatus. 61. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the processing system is adapted with a registration system adapted to be configured remotely by said apparatus. 62. An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the registration system allows the user to record a reference movement trajectory remotely using apparatus. 63. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus is further comprised of: a user input device and display and wherein said apparatus is configured with multiple training applications, each of which is selectively activated withthe user input device. 64. An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said user input device may be used to authenticate user access and open a user session. 65. An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said user input device may be used to calibrate said apparatus to establish a reference pose or reference trajectory. 66. An apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising: a remote visual display in communication with the processing system for providing visual stimuli for the user. 67. An apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said transmitted signals by said transmitter are radio frequency signals for transmitting information to the remote processing system. 68. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus is adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces depending on the application desired. 69. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus transmits accelerometer signals to the processing system. 70. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus transmits heart rate signals to the processing system. 71. An apparatus according to claim 50, further comprised of: an inertial sensor and wherein apparatus transmits signals containing orientation information to the processing system. 72. An apparatus according to claim 50, further comprised of: a nonvolatile memory. 73. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said apparatus is adapted to download customized user programs from the Internet to be uploaded to the processing system as the application program. 74. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein performance algorithms are stored in said memory. 75. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said performance algorithm produces a Motivation Index that represents the overall level of enthusiasm or enjoyment for a particular activity. 76. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said performance algorithm produces a composite numerical value derived from a weighted average of statistical performance indicators and subjective user input including at least one of thefollowing items: relative scoring improvements, conformity to a range of motion pattern, duration of participation, high activity access rate, relative skill level improvement, daily goal achievement. 77. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein a user's session data can be saved to said memory for later retrieval. 78. An apparatus according to claim 50 adapted to operate in conjunction with a receiver array in data communication with the processing system for receiving ultrasonic signals from apparatus and wherein said receiver array sends data to theprocessing system for use in calculating movement information for said first apparatus. 79. An apparatus according to claim 78, wherein said receiver array is in the form of an S-shaped curve. 80. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein movement information is calculated based on time of flight measurement of said ultrasonic signals. 81. An apparatus according to claim 50 further comprised of an output device and wherein said apparatus processes said feedback data from the processing system and provides stimulus from said output device to cue the user to move in apredetermined direction to assess the user's ability to balance. 82. An apparatus according to claim 50 further comprised of an output device and wherein said apparatus processes said feedback data from the processing system and provides stimulus from said output device to cue the user based on the movementinformation of said apparatus in reference to at least one of: a desired range of motion and a desired location. 83. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the desired range of motion be established by placing targets in the real or virtual world at predetermined locations. 84. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the apparatus is a first transponder adapted for communicating with a second transponder, also hand held by the user. 85. An apparatus for use in tracking movement of a user, said apparatus being hand-held, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting signals wirelessly to a remote processing system; a receiver for receiving signals from the processing system,wherein the received signals are feedback signals derived from comparing movement information of the apparatus with a reference movement information; an output device for providing stimuli to the user, wherein the feedback signals are used to initiateaural stimuli to the user; and a user-actuated button for providing input to the apparatus. 86. An apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said transmitted signals by said transmitter are ultrasonic signals for use in obtaining movement information for said apparatus. 87. An apparatus according to claim 85 wherein said aural stimuli are cues to guide the user's movements to conform to a desired reference movement information. 88. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein said aural signals are cues to the user for proper movement execution to increase range of motion of a predetermined body part of the user. 89. An apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said aural stimuli are cues to train the user for a predetermined physical activity. 90. An apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said aural stimuli provides the user with on-going performance information and where movement information of said apparatus is collected over a period to time to determine the user's ability toperform a particular movement or activity. 91. An apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said button is actuated by the user to signal an end of a user movement. Other References
Field of SearchHuman or animalHouse arrest system, wandering, or wrong place Medical Tracking location (e.g., GPS, etc.) Having plural distinct sensors (i.e., for surrounding conditions) TACTUAL INDICATION Having indication or alarm (e.g., location indication) Remote control, wireless, or alarm COMMUNICATION AIDS FOR THE HANDICAPPED Converting information to tactile output |
